Dual ASD/ADHD assessments for children and young people under 18 at Curious Minds usually take place over four appointments. The aim is to build a full understanding of your child’s social communication, interaction, flexibility of thinking, sensory experiences, attention, concentration, impulsivity, activity levels, executive functioning, developmental history, strengths, needs, and day-to-day life across home, education, and other settings. We work in a child-centred way, taking time to help your child or young person feel as comfortable as possible and explaining each stage of the process as we go.
The first appointment is an initial meeting with the child or young person and their family. This gives us the opportunity to get to know your child, understand current concerns, and hear about their strengths, interests, needs, and day-to-day experiences.
We may ask about home life, education, friendships, communication, sensory experiences, routines, attention and concentration, organisation, activity levels, impulsivity, emotional wellbeing, sleep, and any support already in place.
This appointment also helps us explain the assessment process, answer any questions, and think about how best to support your child or young person during the later appointments.
We aim to make this first meeting relaxed and collaborative, so everyone understands what to expect.
The second appointment is usually with parents or carers only. This is a detailed developmental and clinical history interview where we ask about your child's early development and life so far.
This may include pregnancy and birth history where known, early milestones, communication, play, friendships, sensory experiences, routines, attention, concentration, organisation, planning, impulsivity, restlessness, emotional regulation, sleep, education, family life, and everyday functioning across different settings.
This interview helps us understand patterns over time, including both autism-related and ADHD-related traits, and how your child's strengths and needs may have developed across different stages.
We will also ask about relevant medical and mental health history, as this helps us build a fuller understanding of your child's experiences and any factors that may be relevant to the assessment.
If you have nursery or school reports, previous assessments, professional letters, care plans, or other relevant information, you are welcome to share these with us as part of the assessment process.
The third appointment includes a structured ADHD assessment with the child or young person.
This usually involves further discussion, completion or review of ADHD questionnaires, and exploration of how attention, concentration, impulsivity, activity levels, organisation, time management, and emotional regulation affect daily life.
We will explain what is happening throughout and work at a pace that feels comfortable for your child or young person.
The fourth appointment includes the ADOS assessment, which is a structured, play- and conversation-based assessment used to explore social communication, interaction, flexibility of thinking, and patterns of behaviour.
The activities are chosen to suit your child or young person's age, communication style, and developmental level.
We will explain what is happening throughout and work at a pace that feels comfortable for them.
After the ADOS assessment, we bring together information from all parts of the assessment process, including the initial family appointment, the parent/carer developmental and clinical history interview, the ADHD assessment, any questionnaires or reports, and our clinical observations.
We will then provide feedback about our findings, talk through whether your child or young person meets criteria for an autism diagnosis, an ADHD diagnosis, or both, and discuss recommendations for support going forward.
After the assessment, we will send you a detailed written report summarising the information gathered, our clinical findings, the outcome of the assessment, and any recommendations for support.
If you would like to talk through the report or have any further questions, we can also offer a follow-up phone call if needed.
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I qualified as a Speech and Language Therapist from The University of Strathclyde in 1996 and have over 25 years of experience working in NHS Scotland. I started work as a community Speech and Language Therapist working with children and young people.
I very quickly developed a real interest in Neurodevelopmental conditions, working closely with young people and their families to support the development of their speech, language and communication skills. I am passionate that all children should be in an environment where their communication can develop to the best of their abilities.
I have further developed my skills and knowledge particularly in the area of Autism, completing my ADOS 2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale) training and for a number of years my role has included being part of both community and specialist Autism Multidisciplinary Assessments.
I thoroughly enjoyed completing the National Autistic Society training in EarlyBird and EarlyBird Plus programmes. Delivering these parent groups allowed me to support families to learn more about Autism and to help them develop new ways to support their child.
I continue to work in the NHS supporting families on their journey pre and post assessment of Neurodevelopmental conditions.
Qualifications:
I am an Occupational Therapist (OT) with nearly 23 years experience within NHS Paediatric and Child and Adolescent Services both in Tayside and Fife, as well as a year as a Neurodevelopmental Therapist in a District Health Board in New Zealand. I have experience in both In-patient and community settings and have also been based within schools.
During this time, I have developed a particular passion for learning and sharing knowledge about Sensory integration and neuroscience. I feel privileged to have been able to explore and have conversations with many individuals about their unique sensory experiences; which are our foundation and gateway to how we experience our world with confidence.
I bring a broad and varied proficiency within the team around the child, supporting consistency in the home, school and other environments. Helping others to support you to achieve what is important to you.
OT considers the whole person, grounded in bringing a holistic approach to supporting people to achieve their goals. I also enjoy the creativity and problem solving aspect of being an OT and look forward to exploring this with you.
I look forward to meeting you and am curious to learn about your unique brain and subsequent different skills, abilities, needs and considerations.
Qualifications:
I am a Nurse Consultant with more than 20 years of experience working within NHS Neurodevelopmental Services, supporting children, young people and adults with a wide range of neurodevelopmental conditions.
I originally qualified from the University of Dundee as a Learning Disability Nurse in 2005, followed by Mental Health Nursing in 2008.
After completing my Nursing Degree, I went on to achieve a Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Practice in 2019.
I am also a Non Medical Prescriber with a particular focus on sleep, emotional regulation and neurodevelopmental presentations.
I am currently undertaking a Masters level research project exploring the diagnosis of Autism.
Over the last ten years, my clinical work has centred on the assessment and diagnosis of Autism, ADHD and other neurodevelopmental conditions across the lifespan.
I am trained in the delivery of both the 3Di and ADOS 2 assessments and have extensive experience working with adults whose needs may have been overlooked earlier in life.
My professional passion is working alongside neurodivergent children, young people and adults, helping them and their families develop a clearer, more affirming understanding of their strengths, needs and identity.
I feel privileged to work with such a diverse group of individuals and continue to learn from them every day.
Qualifications:
I am a Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years’ experience working in NHS Neurodevelopmental Services and Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services across Scotland.
Throughout my career I have specialised in the assessment and understanding of neurodevelopmental conditions, and I am passionate about delivering high quality, compassionate care for children, teenagers and adults.
My particular area of interest has always been Autism, and I have extensive experience in both CAMHS and Autism Assessment Teams, where I have worked for many years.
Alongside this, I have developed significant expertise in ADHD assessment across the lifespan, including the complexities of identifying ADHD in girls, women and adults who may have been missed earlier in life.
I completed my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Glasgow and have undertaken extensive specialist training in Autism assessment (including ADOS), ADHD assessment, neurodevelopmental disorders, and family based approaches.
My clinical background includes many years working in NHS Greater Glasgow as a Principal Psychologist, where I played a key role in developing and delivering high quality Autism Assessment services.
I have always particularly enjoyed working alongside individuals and families to build a clearer, more affirming understanding of neurodiversity.
Whether supporting a child, a teenager or an adult seeking clarity later in life, I aim to provide assessments that are respectful, collaborative and grounded in the person’s lived experience.
Qualifications:
